| Officer's Cap, c. 1692. |  |
This embroidered officer’s cap of an elite Scottish unit in the army of King William III dates to around 1692. This type of cap was worn by grenadiers, the strongest, most formidable troops of the 1690s.
The Scottish identity of the regiment is shown on the cap by the embroidered thistles on either side of the royal crowns and cypher (initials) of King William and Queen Mary.
In the late 17th century Scotland was politically volatile, with conflicts over religion and the royal succession making the government unstable. Authority was imposed by military force, with the government relying on professional soldiers led by government supporters.
The cap is made of Velvet, gold thread, silver thread, cardboard and whale-bone.
|
|
| Martyn Gorman · University of Aberdeen · Department of Zoology · © 2002 |